Twenty-Seven Million Ballots In, and Both Parties Spent the Weekend Chasing the Rest
Nearly twenty-seven million mail-in and early in-person ballots had been cast nationwide by Sunday, according to NBC News’ early-vote tracker. With Election Day approaching, the campaign’s final sprint is increasingly unfolding at polling places as well as on the trail.
President Donald Trump cast an early ballot in Florida before campaigning at a rally in Georgia. Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in Ohio and Michigan. Their weekend stops put the two parties’ prominent voices in battleground states while voters across the country continued to cast ballots.
In New Jersey, Sunday marked day two of the state’s nine-day in-person early-voting period. Polls were open from ten a.m. to six p.m. NBC New York reported that an Essex County location at Turtle Back Zoo had briefly paused voting after a bomb threat the previous day. Law enforcement found no bomb, and the site reopened.
The episode is a reminder that election workers are managing a demanding stretch while helping voters cast ballots. The rising national total shows strong participation so far, but it is not a prediction of how the election will turn out.
If you plan to vote this week, check your location and hours with your state or local election office before setting out. New Jersey voters can find early-voting dates and hours through the Division of Elections. Bring required identification if your state asks for it, and choose a specific day and time now to make the trip easier to fit into your week.
Have you already voted, or are you planning to go this week? What information has helped you make a plan?
